Pros & Cons of Installing Solar Panels on Your Roof

Learn the benefits and drawbacks of putting solar panels on your roof. Find out if solar energy is the right choice for your home.

Even though we are a roofing company, we get asked about solar all the time. Many people are looking for alternatives for obtaining electricity. In Arizona, solar is one of the most common alternatives and probably the best alternative, especially since it’s sunny year-round. There are many other alternatives, such as wind turbines, however, these alternatives may lead to a bigger headache with local ordinances, regulations, and codes. When you install solar panels on the roof, the real estate is already there. These days, the installers do all the communication, paperwork, and permitting with the city, making it a win-win. Let’s take a look at the pros and cons of putting solar on the roof.

Pros and Cons of Solar Panels on My Roof

Pros of Solar Power
Pros and Cons of Putting Solar on the Roof

Pros of Solar Power

  • Saves Money on Electric Bills
    Since going solar generates electricity, Arizona homeowners will see a substantial decrease in their electric bills since it’s sunny nearly year-round.
  • Saves Energy
    Having solar is a great way to make your home more self-sufficient. You will use less electricity coming from power companies, and instead, be using more of the electricity your panels are generating from the sun. Not even a power outage will stop your home from having electricity.
  • Low Maintenance
    Solar panels work best when clean, so if you live in an area where it rains you will not have to worry about cleaning them. However, in areas with little rain it is best that you or a professional cleans the panels periodically to remove any dust residue, tree debris and bird poop.
  • Sell Surplus Solar Energy to Electric Company
    More often than not, especially in Arizona, solar panels will produce more electricity than needed. Many electric utility companies and State programs have the option of giving the homeowner credit on your next electric bill.
  • Government Money
    In many cities and states there are tax incentives, grants, and rebates when choosing solar. Both the local and federal governments encourage the use of solar, so have programs to help people afford it. So make sure you check out their websites for these benefits.
Cons of Solar Power
Pros and Cons of Putting Solar on the Roof

Cons of Solar Power

  • Costs of Installation
    One of the main reasons why people do not have solar is that it can cost quite a bit of money. Solar panels themselves are not cheap and professional installers can be expensive. Many choose to go with a payment plan, so they can afford solar. Don’t forget to check out your local government programs to see if they will help with the cost.
  • Uninstalling and Re-Installing When Undergoing a Roof Repair or Replacement
    We have seen our fair share of solar panel installations on commercial and residential sites. When undergoing a repair or replacement, it is mandatory for the solar panel setup to be disassembled and reassembled. Durafoam does not offer this service, but we do have relationships with local solar companies that can provide this service.
  • Maximizing Solar Panel Energy Capture & Output
    The point of solar is to capture energy from the sun, so if there is no sun, such as at night, there is no energy generated. Solar does work when it is cloudy however with reduced efficiency. Also when installing solar make sure the solar is in the direction with the most sun for max functionality. Most homeowners won’t need to measure this as the solar company will maximize the installation to capture the most sunlight.
  • Storing Surplus Solar Energy Can Be Costly
    When the solar panels are generating more electricity than needed, the electricity can be stored in batteries, so that on cloudy days or at night you can use this energy. The only problem with this is that the batteries are very costly, sometimes making it cheaper to use power from your electric company during these times. If you are using a lot of energy such as running your HVAC system, you may not even need to worry about this problem, since there will likely not be a surplus.
Pros and Cons of Solar Panels on My Roof
Pros and Cons of Putting Solar on the Roof

Pros and Cons of Solar Power

For most people, all the benefits of solar outweigh the drawbacks. They like the fact that they are generating their own electricity, thus reducing their reliance on fossil fuels to power their home. Obtaining financing and seeking government benefits is the best way to finance solar if the upfront costs are out of reach. Durafoam is pro-solar and believes that solar power is a great option for those wanting more self-reliance when it comes to electricity.

Real People. Real Stories.

Our clients are our highest priority, and we’re always excited to receive positive feedback. If you're thinking of working with Durafoam Roofing, we invite you to explore our reviews from satisfied customers to see the exceptional service and quality you can expect from us.

Matt. S -

HIGHLY RECOMMEND! The scheduling was easy, I had a crew working on replacing my foam roof within a couple of weeks. The roof was removed quickly and safely. The new roof looks immaculate! Thank you, Durafoam!

Matthew T. -

I recently had to contact Durafoam as a person that inherited their warranty from the past owner of our home. I was impressed with how friendly, responsive and reasonable they were about addressing my concern. The complete opposite of what I rehearsed in my head before calling. What a refreshing change to find conscientious, integrity in the roofing world!

Sini T. -

My patio  roof was in bad shape and in real need of a do over. The tile area close to my fireplace chimney was loosening a bit and i was worried if i would see my roof leaking on a wet day. Durafoam sealed up my patio pretty well last year and i have not had any issues till now. Duane Forstie was my point of contact sales and he was prompt enough to come and  inspect the roof 1 year later. I would recommend Durafoam to anybody looking to get their patio fixed and sealed for long term.

Wes C. –

Within a day of requesting a quote, Duane showed up on time and could not have been more helpful and patient with all of my questions. I received a quote by email within an hour of his visit and a personal call to thank me for giving him a chance to assist in our project. No pressure, just genuine appreciation for the potential business. Typically I get two estimates for work like this....but this time I cancelled the second appointment as it was clearly unnecessary to look further.

Chris Palchak –

Someone else told me I needed $1000s of work done. I called Durafoam and found out the only problem was a bee hive blocking a scupper.  The guy who came out cleared the scupper and told me I just needed to caulk around it. So glad I called them.

Tim F. –

Durafoam did a fantastic job on my new construction house. No leaks and the roof looks amazing! Highly recommend

Bill F. –

There price was very fair and they did a really good job. They come back every year to check and repair if needed and that's included for 5 years.

Tyler M. –

Excellent job. You guys have a very respectful team of installers. Thank you for your services Tim.

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